The role of livestock in economic development and poverty reduction in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Livestock is vital to the economies of many developing countries, including in Indonesia. Animals are source for food, more specifically protein for human diets, income, employment, and possibly foreign exchange. For low income producers, livestock can serve as a store of wealth, provide draught power and organic fertiliser for crop production and a means of transport. Consumption of livestock and livestock products in Indonesia, though starting from a low base, is growing rapidly. This study analysed the behaviour of livestocks production system in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta Province Indonesia. The data were gathered by studying literature to obtain primary and secondary data on livestocks development, interviewing farmers and key persons, groups meeting, fields observations and marketing strategies. Farmers referred to their livestocks as a saving (Tabungan in Javanese), that provides security and helps to accumulate capital, which in turn helps to reduce hunger and buffers against periodic drought. Manure was second main reason for keeping livestocks. The supply and demand of livestocks, especially beef cattle, buffalo, sheep and goatsfluctuated throughout the year. The demand for and price of livestocks increased dramatically during the weeks before Idul Adha, the feast of sacrifice. Farmers do not seem to profit from this increased demand. Farmers rarely sell their livestocks directly on the animal market or to the consumers. It is unlikely that livestocks will become a main income earner in rural households. If households have sufficient family labour for the management of livestocks, livestocks are an appreciated secondary activity. Efforts to improve livestock production need to be facilitated by government, scientist, extension workers, and farmers themselves have to work together, because improving livestock production means that farmers have access to reliable and affordable support services, offering them access to knowledge and inputs, including credit and marketing information.